How To Use Windows Print Screen Key On Your Mac In Boot Camp

When we need to take a screenshot in Windows, the PrtScr key (or also known as Print Screen) is crucial. This key exists on most Windows-based keyboards. So, capturing a screenshot is not a big deal.

However, there is a complicated case that you might not have known how to take a screenshot. That is running Windows operating system (OS) on a Mac OS X computer, through Boot Camp.

Technically, you are using Windows OS. But if we take the case of the hardware, then it is a Mac computer. And of course, it comes with a Mac keyboard, which does not have the Print Screen key.

So, how do you take a screenshot when running Windows OS on your Mac, without third party apps?

Taking Screenshots In Windows With An Apple Keyboard

Print Screen is a feature that was using in the Windows environment to give the ability for users to take a screenshot and save to clipboard. On a Windows-based keyboard, you will notice a Print Screen key (aka PrtScr). But on a Mac-based keyboard, no button is labeled.

So, it’s difficult to take a screenshot in Windows an Apple-supplied keyboard.

However, you don’t need to worry! There still ways to capture screenshots in Windows with your Mac keyboard. With the help of a series of keystrokes, you can quickly perform the same function as pressing the Print Screen key.

To take a screenshot of the entire screen, just press fn + Shift + F11.

To take a screenshot of the active window, just press Option + fn + Shift + F11.

Note: By default, you have to use the fn key to capturing screenshots. But if you have mapped your function keys correctly in Window, you don’t need to use the fn key anymore. Instead, just press Shift + F11 and Option + Shift + F11 to take screenshots, respectively.

Unlike taking screenshots in Mac OS X, these keystrokes will not release image files directly to your Mac’s desktop. Instead, the captured screen will be copied to Windows’ clipboard, where you can paste it into Microsoft’s Paint or any image editing apps and then save as files.

Also, there is no visual confirmation or sound to tell that a screenshot is captured. You need to press an appropriate keystroke and then open a picture editing program to transform the captured screen in the clipboard into a file.

Do you have any questions want to ask? Feel free to leave your comment below.